How do you preserve basil after harvesting?

How do you preserve basil after harvesting?

Pinch off basil leaves. Discard the stems, and wash the leaves very well in cool water and thoroughly dry in a salad spinner. If you don’t have a salad spinner, cool-water wash your basil leaves in the sink and dry as dry as possible with paper towels.

Can you preserve fresh basil?

To freeze your basil, pull leaves from stems. You can also freeze leaves whole and keep them for up to a year. First, blanch leaves for two seconds in boiling water, then drain and rinse immediately with cold water. Pat leaves dry and store in a large, freezer-safe container, separating each layer with plastic wrap.

How do you prolong the life of a basil plant?

Keep the soil of your basil plants slightly moist at all times. Depending on how much sun your basil gets, you might need to water your basil plant every 1-2 days. But make sure that the pot has good drainage, because soggy soil can lead to rotting roots.

How do you preserve basil for the future?

Directions:

1. Remove fresh basil leaves from the stem, then wash and dry completely.
2. Use a food processor to puree the basil leaves with olive oil.
3. Freeze the pureed basil in an ice cube tray, after frozen remove cubes and then store in a large resealable plastic bag or freezer-safe container.

Can basil be frozen raw?

ANSWER: Yes, you can freeze fresh basil leaves, but they just need a little help. Basil is a particularly delicate herb because it hates the cold and darkens when cut. Keep in mind any fresh herbs that you freeze will not be entirely the same as fresh. Freezing will change the texture and it won’t be as stable.

Can I freeze fresh basil without blanching?

To freeze basil, blanch the leaves, flash freeze them separately, then combine and freeze them long-term in an airtight, freezer-safe container. If you don’t need to preserve individual leaves, you can also freeze basil without blanching and flash freezing it, or you can freeze basil in puréed form.

Can I freeze fresh basil?

How do you keep basil alive outside?

To grow basil plants outside, prepare a bed with organic matter such as composted manure, pine bark or compost to create the rich, well-drained environment that basil loves. Work into the soil approximately 3 pints of 5-10-10 granular fertilizer per 100 square feet.

Where should I store my basil plant indoors?

Basil thrives in a warm, bright location, such as a south-facing window that is sunny for most of the day. If you don’t have a suitable window, use a grow light.

Can I freeze basil leaves whole?

Freeze leaves whole. Yes, seconds. You don’t want to cook them. Blanching helps retain basil’s nice green color. Use a strainer or slotted spoon to remove them and place in the cold water for several seconds to cool down and stop the cooking.

How do you freeze basil without turning it black?

Chop and Freeze Add a drizzle of olive oil and pulse to lightly coat the leaves with oil; this will keep the basil from turning black in the freezer. Scoop the resulting mixture into ice cube trays and freeze. Transfer the finished cubes to freezer bags and use as needed.

Should I Blanch basil before freezing?

Yes, seconds. You don’t want to cook them. Blanching helps retain basil’s nice green color. Use a strainer or slotted spoon to remove them and place in the cold water for several seconds to cool down and stop the cooking.

How do you maintain a basil plant?

How to Maintain a Basil Plant. Basil needs about an inch of water per week and outdoor plants should be watered when rainfall is insufficient. Fertilizer is not needed if the soil has enough organic material. Add small amounts of aged compost regularly to keep the soil enriched. Remove flower stems to allow the basil plant to produce more foliage.

What is the best way to preserve Basil?

Besides making up big batches of pesto to freeze, there are a few other ways to preserve basil for the winter months. Dry clean, trimmed basil by layering it onto the shelves of a food dehydrator. Freeze chopped basil mixed with water in ice cube trays.

How do you keep basil fresh after cutting?

To keep basil fresh, trim the stems and place them in a glass or jar of water, just like cut flowers. Loosely cover it with a plastic bag and leave it on the counter. Although certain herbs, such as parsley and cilantro, can be stored this way in the fridge, basil does better at room temperature.

What is the best way to freeze Basil?

Basil cubes: The most efficient way to freeze basil is by making basil cubes. I affectionately refer to these as “flavor bombs,” and toss them into soups just before serving to give an herbaceous, last-minute aromatic punch. It is the next best thing to having freshly picked basil on hand.